Summary
Ngāti Whare are a central North Island iwi whose rohe (territory) is based around Te Whaiti, Minginui and the Whirinaki Conservation Park. The area in which Ngāti Whare claim interests for Treaty settlement purposes covers approximately 192,000 hectares. Te Whāiti-Nui-a-Toi Canyon and Tūwatawata are specially protected areas recognised in the settlement Act. Similar to most other settlements, the Ngäti Whare Settlement is the final settlement of all Ngāti Whare’s historical claims resulting from acts or omissions by the Crown prior to 21 September 1992 and includes:
• An agreed historical account and Crown acknowledgements, which form the basis for a Crown Apology to Ngäti Whare;
• Cultural redress; and
• Financial and commercial redress are already provided through the Central North Island Forests Land Collective Settlement 2008.
Of particular note, is the acknowledgment of the Crown that Ngāti Whare are the Kaitiaki (guardians) of Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park.
Under s108 of the Act, a statutory body called the Rangitaiki River Forum is also established. The purpose of the Forum is the protection and enhancement of the environmental, cultural, and spiritual health and wellbeing of the Rangitaiki River and its resources for the benefit of present and future generations.